Prosecutors oppose sentencing delay for coal extractor CEO

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Federal prosecutors say they oppose a request for a delay in the sentencing of Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship following his mine safety conspiracy conviction.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Ruby said in a filing Wednesday that the sentencing of Blankenship should not be delayed.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail (http://bit.ly/1pqikmH) reports that attorneys are arguing over whether Blankenship should also pay restitution to compensate victims of the case for any losses. Ruby says that prosecutors agree that matters about restitution payments by Blankenship should be handled through a hearing separate from his April 6 sentencing hearing.

Blankenship was convicted Dec. 3 of a misdemeanor conspiracy to willfully violate mine safety standards at Upper Big Branch Mine in West Virginia. He faces up to one year in prison and maximum fine of $250,000.